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Tag Archives: Korean Musical Theater


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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 730

Happy New Year!! 새해 복 많이 받으세요!! And, Happy Last Day of G.O’s Military Service!!! We made it. We really truly made it! True, G.O did make it bearable by staying in touch throughout the two long years he has been away, but I remember how forlorn we all were that first day ~ it seems like an eternity ago yet here we are at the 730th day. It is a holiday so I am wondering if G.O is actually off of work on his last day of service. The Lunar New Year is a high holiday across Asia and this year of the Dog celebration actually began yesterday in South Korea. So, has G.O officially completed his service and is already discharged, or will he actually be discharged tomorrow? It’s a mystery! But in keeping with my schedule here on the Countdown, it is a Fan-Camming Friday and I plan to end with another dose of nostalgia. This time coming from a moment close to my own heart, Seopyeonje. I am probably most G.O nostalgic when it comes to Seopyeonje because that is where I saw and met him for the first time. I usher out Fan-Camming Fridays and, thus, this series altogether with a revisit to the 3 March 2014 Seopyeonje showcase.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 714

Well, I knew I would be saying this about many of the sub-categories I have created during this post as we near the end of G.O’s service: This is my last Fan-ART-astic post! I cannot believe that I am literally approaching the final day of this countdown series. I know I have often stated during these past 714 days that the time has gone by quickly and for the most part, it has. But I am not going to deny it, it has been a long, long journey. Still, the time spent writing about this talented and darling young man has been a privilege. It is too early to get all weepy!!! So, let’s have a look at my final Fan-ART-astic offering. I decided to close this sub-category with one of my fave artists, SakuTori. She has drawn G.O often and has drawn him well. Because I saw him for the very first time as Dong Ho in the musical Seopyeonje, it is my SakuTori choice for the day.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 658

It is not too late in this countdown game to add a new sub-category, is it? I kind of wish I would have thought of this one sooner, but inspiration arrives when the time is right I suppose. Just a short, but oh-so-sultry moment from the musical theater stage today that I am going to go ahead and place in the newly minted sub-category I am simply calling, G.O Dance Break. There are 73 days remaining until discharge and I actually believe I could conceivably find 73 instances of G.O dancing outside of the purview of set MBLAQ choreography. I am kind of tempted to challenge myself but instead, I will see how many I can get in the countdown before he comes back. Today, a mash up from the Gwanghwamun Sonata musical stage. A mash up? Yes, I will explain.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 657

Recently, I read that G.O’s Seopyeonje co-star Cha Ji Yeon (who was currently in latest production of the musical) won a Korean Culture Entertainment Award for her role as the compelling Song Hwa. That just opened the Seopyeonje flood gates for me all over again and I decided to share (most likely again and perhaps more than once), one G.O’s magnificent performances of My Life Is Gone captured on video because the Vocal Virtuosity vault has plenty of room to accommodate this amazing song from the masterpiece musical.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 611

Inasmuch as I long for a revival of each of G.O’s musicals with him back to reprise his roles, it is Gwanghwamun Sonata that I especially would like to see. Yes, you are right to believe I say that because it was the only one I did not see. Can you blame me for wanting to turn back time or, in the alternative, see him back in the tempestuous role of political activist Kang Hyun Woo? I was duly heartbroken when I recently discovered that the musical is actually being revived for a short run beginning in December. Waaah! I suppose what little is out there in way of fan cam and pictures of G.O’s performance is all we will get . . . for now. Today then, I would like to return to the Gwanghwamun Sonata stage to revisit the vivacious and energetic closing curtain call number for this Fan-Camming Friday.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 603

I cannot control myself when it comes to reminiscing and reflecting on Seopyeonje. The moments and memories of G.O’s Korean musical stage debut have imprinted and left their mark on me. I have recently been revisiting many of the Dong Ho specific songs from the musical and started rewatching videos from the 3 March 2014 showcase, particularly G.O’s performance of 흔적 [Traces]. Even though I understood the premise and storyline of Seopyeonje, I never really explored the lyrical content of the songs. When I attended my first Seopyeonje performance, I did not need to understand the lyrics because I felt the meaning being conveyed. In looking a little closer at 흔적 now however, I have discovered a deeper poignancy in the song; and, there is no better master at delivering poignancy in a song than G.O. Today, I share another Vocal Virtuosity moment from Seopyeonje.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 587

Today, it is quite simple. It is Tuesday and Tuesdays are generally unremarkable. If you work a typical corporate office job like I do, Tuesday is only the second day of the work week and still seems so far from the weekend. Really, there is only one way to give Tuesday a boost and I think the best option is a blast of explosive super sexy G.O circa the Cry era. It is a G.O One Shot day and it would be unfair to limit myself to only one shot today.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 573

I have been looking forward to sharing the fan art work of Japanese artist @cantnoir827 ever since I started this little sub-category on the Countdown. I know most, if not all A+ worldwide, have enjoyed her whimsical and playful renditions of MBLAQ over the years. Today I choose her take on G.O’s three musical theater roles: Kang Hyun Woo from Gwanghwamun Sonata, Dong Ho from Seopyeonje and Prince Ho Dong from Kingdom of the Winds.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 532

Gwanghwamun Sonata’s Kang Hyun Woo was a role filled with angst and intensity, and the road to bring him to life on the musical stage demanding. Nevertheless, it was filled with a fair amount of levity for our talented main vocal in his first musical theater role. Perhaps having to share the role with bandmate Seung Ho made the process not only easier, but also fun. Getting to explore unchartered adventures always seem to be less daunting when you can navigate them with a trusted friend. I have to say with confidence that by the end of 2012, MBLAQ’s 87-Line were perhaps more like brothers. And while we wait for our quiet leader to begin his military service, our gregarious main vocal has (officially) under 200 days remaining in his own. But I am not going to go crazy with excitement just yet. No, today I am just going to revisit the early days of Gwanghwamun Sonata when G.O met and began exploring the complex and magnetic Kang Hyun Woo.

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The Soulful Countdown to G.O’s Discharge ~ Day 530

With the revival of Seopyeonje coming next month, I cannot help but recall the excitement and thrill of seeing G.O on the musical stage. I often rewatch the many cams capturing those magical moments. From his opening number through the last notes that left his lips, each song G.O sang to bring Dong Ho’s story to the stage was a perfect Vocal Virtuosity moment. Each and every one of them. In one way or another, I know I have shared them all somewhere here either in this countdown series or other posts. Seopyeonje left its mark on me. Rather, G.O in Seopyeonje left its mark on me. I don’t mind going back to write about the show, his performance or the music over and over again. Today, I am placing the opening song Alive in the Vocal Virtuosity vault. Because quite frankly, it belongs there.

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